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Union Minister of State for petroleum and natural gas, Dharmendra Pradhan today launched a scheme to provide new LPG connections to BPL (below poverty line) families at a concessional rate for three months.
“Any BPL category people wanting a new LPG connection will be given a rebate of Rs 1,600 for 14.2 kg cylinders. The new scheme was launched country wide today,” said Pradhan after launching of the scheme here at Salia Sahi, city’s biggest slum area.
The rebate includes Rs 1,450 as security deposit for cylinder and Rs 150 as cost of pressure regulator.
Recently, the minister had approved extension of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund scheme for all households below the poverty line including those in urban areas. Earlier, the benefit was only available for BPL families in rural areas covered under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitran Yojana.
In addition, the Union minister also launched the sale of Rs 5kg cylinder for the benefit of BPL families and sale of 5 kg cylinders under free trade LPG (FTL). Officials said, there is also a waiver of Rs 500 for getting a 5kg connection for the BPL families which includes Rs 350 as security deposit and Rs 150 as cost of regulator.
Apart from the BPL card holders, anyone can get a LPG connection but cannot avail the rebate. One consumer can avail 34 subsidised cylinders of 5 kg weight in a year at a cost of Rs 161 under the scheme.
Pradhan also launched the sale of 5 kg cylinders under the free trade LPG scheme here aimed at catering to the LPG requirements of all sections of the society.
People who do not have proof of address and are buying cylinders from black market, especially the daily labourers and economically weaker families, can buy 5 kg cylinders at the market rate, the minister added. To begin with 5 kg cylinders would be available at nine petrol pump outlets in Bhubaneswar. The ministry is in talks for sale of mini cylinders at Udyan Fresh outlets and other kirana stores (depending on the demand) in Bhubaneswar, he added.
